3:1 In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands;
 

so that, even if any don't obey the Word,
they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;
3:2 seeing your pure behavior in fear.
3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;
3:4 but in the hidden person of the heart,
in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is in the sight of God very precious.

3:5 For this is how the holy women before,
who hoped in God, also adorned themselves,
being in subjection to their own husbands:
3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord,
whose children you now are, if you do well,
and are not put in fear by any terror.

3:7 You husbands, in like manner,
live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman,
as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life;
that your prayers may not be hindered.

3:8 Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate,
loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
3:9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing;
knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
 

3:10 For, "He who would love life, And see good days,
Let him keep his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
3:11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good.
Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And his ears open to their prayer;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Practicing submission convicts the rebellious of sin. This occurs on many levels. If a wife submits to her husband, this provokes the husband to submit to God. And if the husband submits to God, this provokes his wife to submit to him. It also sets an example for their children. Do you have rebellious children? What example have you set? If a wife submits to her husband this sets an example.

Submissiveness is the most attractive feature of a woman, even to ungodly men. And this is particularly true today when it is so rare. Outward beauty fades. That is inevitable. But this is not necessarily true of inward beauty - that of a gentle and quiet spirit. But again there is no guarantee that these also will not become corrupted if one doesn't take care. For the world can easily influence and corrupt Christians both men and women, molding them into feminists. But a gentle and quite spirit makes a woman of great value especially in the sight of God. God is looking for a few godly women to influence both the Christian culture and the world's values. But be forewarned, if you practice submission you will be persecuted by the rebellious. Other women will make fun of you. Feminists will treat you with contempt. But you will find honor among the godly.

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." Proverbs 12:4

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22-24

Finally is the issue of fear. Insecurity is often a source of rebelliousness among women. To submit requires allowing someone else to be in charge. But today women tend to be trained by the world to have a contemptuous attitude towards their husbands. And if they think their hubands are incompetent fools, then submitting to incompetent fools is not only humiliating, but also threatens their security. Also as a gender women, being the "weaker vessel" tend to naturally have more fears. Godly women should be courageous. The first people listed in Rev 21:8 of those who will get thrown into the lake of fire are the "fearful" or "cowards". Such should not be characteristic of the redeemed.

vs 7 HUSBANDS
The egalitarian society in which we live teaches not to treat people differently based upon gender. Therefore it should come as no surprise if a husband fails to treat his wife as a "weaker vessel". Women are taught they are stronger than men. They are taught to compete with men rather than to cooperate, to be domineering, to be in charge. But like it or not the fact is that women are the weaker partners and husbands are the stronger partners. That's the way it was designed.

Husbands need to be considerate in dealing with these weaker partners. They have psychological weaknesses causing them to easily fall into fear and insecurity. Their emotions can get all stirred up over what men consider the littlest of things. And they have all kinds of innate physical weaknesses which husbands need to keep aware of.

As one in a role of authority, the husband has responsibilities of which he will be called into account by God. As such, how he treats his wife influences how God deals with him. By abusing his authority or neglecting his responsibilities in that role, he incurs disciplinary measures. His prayers are hindered. God will not listen if sin is not dealt with. Conforming to the feminist philosophy by treating his wife as the stronger vessel will hinder his prayers, as will the rejection of the concept of his role being one of authority. And wives don't help the matter when they usurp authority or try and play the stronger role. Therefore let us honor God by conforming to His design.

vs 8-10 ALL OF YOU
Having spoken of Slaves and Masters, Hubands and Wives, he is now addressing the general Christian community. Being of one mind is often misinterpreted. It does not mean to unite over whatever is most popular. Nor does it mean to not voice any contrary opinion. What very commonly occurs in the Christian community is that people will unite around some human dogma. Then one church will make a big deal about their dogma and divide from another church that makes a big deal about their dogma. And thusly we have denominations. But if the Bible itself were central then the story may be different. What the Bible is clear and explicit on, Christians should be clear and explict on. But there needs to be some flexibility when it comes to what the Bible is vague one or on concepts which are inferred. For in these matters there tends to be a diversity of opinions. However, as Christians mature, even these will become clear and unity will be achieved. Thus unity of mind should not be an end in itself, for then people try to produce it by artificial means, often causing the opposite results. One artificial means of promoting unity is by gagging Christians, not allowing them to speak. For if we don't express what we believe, then conflicting ideas never surface. Christians go to church, sing some songs in a programmed manner, listen to a lecture and go home. That's what institutional Christianity has made of the Christian life. And while the maturity of the Christian community is suppressed by such techniques, those who speak the truth are often labeled "divisive".  Those who teach what the Bible says even explicitly concerning controversial issues often suffer persecution by religious establishment. It seems nothing has changed since Jesus' time concerning institutionalize religion. A healthy unity is best achieved by focussing on doing the Word. See also "An Exhortation on Christian Unity".

Rather than seeking for reasons to divide and hate other Christians, best to try to empathize with others. If people are off, then love teaches us not to condemn but to restore. And if offended we need to learn not to respond in the same manner. Jesus is the example. However, there are those who lie or speak deceptively in order to appease others. That is what it means to speak guile. This is particular a problem in Chinese churches, which I've observed in two decades of my ministry among the Chinese community. Being politely frank and honest should be the Christian ideal.

Verse 12 is a transition into next section in which Peter will elaborate on the concept of responding properly to persecution. His point here is to reckon that God is watchful and aware and empathetic for his children. A common effect that those who are persecuted experience is a sense of abandonment. When Jesus was on the cross he empathized with people in such situations in quoting the first verse of Psalm 22, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" And we read such things in David's Psalms and in the book of Job. Peter's words are an encouraging reminder that though the world hates us, God doesn't.